These Ten Military Working Dogs Have a Lot to Wag About

Matthew Russell

By Matthew Russell

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Everyone loves watching a good homecoming. The whirlwind of emotions stirred up watching our service members come home from deployment is usually enough to bring out some tears, and the same can be said of their canine comrades.

Whether it’s military working dogs reuniting with their handlers years later, or some anxious pups eagerly waiting stateside for their owners’ return, you may need some tissues handy before you dig into this list.

With that in mind, here are ten of our favorite canine-approved homecomings.

10. Airport Reunion

Marine Cpl. Deano Miller spent four years away from his military working dog Thor before the two were reunited in Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport with the help of the American Humane Association and Mission K9 Rescue. Miller and Thor worked and lived with each other for seven months in Afghanistan before the Marine came home.

9. Finally Home

This MWD is so happy to be reunited with her owner, she can hardly hold herself still!

8. 3 Years

Army Specialist Vance McFarland waited three years to see his former Tactical Explosive Detection Dog once again. With the help of Mission K9 Rescue, this mission was a success.

7. Back Together

Mission K9 Rescue played a big part in reuniting these two service members, too. They sure know how to set a paws-itive example!

6. Life Saver

Marine Brad O’Keefe was reunited with Earl, the bomb-sniffing MWD that saved his life, four years after the two parted ways in Afghanistan. O’Keefe’s sister helped facilitate the reunion, which led to this official Marine ceremony.

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and world traveler with a background in journalism, graphic design, and French pastry. He likes to learn new things whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, going to the dog park, folk music and coffee.

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